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Bethells Beach
Auckland
Te Henga Beach (also known as Bethells Beach) is a large, dark sandy stretch of sand that lays approximately 30 kilometres north-west of the centre of Auckland.
The beautiful beach meets the mouth of the Waitakere River which flows into the wild surf of the Tasman Sea. Visitors can access the beach from the car park with a short walk alongside the Waitakere River to the beach.
Given the wind conditions, the beach is a favourite with surfers while also attracting a fair share of paragliding and parasailing enthusiasts. Bush walking trails are also available with boardwalks in place. As you would expect, during the summer the beaches swell with visitors as Aucklanders head to the water.
In 1976 the New Zealand Geographic Board changed the name of the beach from Bethells Beach to Te Henga. The Māori name of Te Henga means sand and was originally applied to a wider area of the lower Waitakere River valley.
The beach is one of a quartet of popular beaches on Auckland's west coast along with Piha, Muriwai and Karekare. The photogenic qualities of the beach has meant its featured in a number of television projects including Xena: Warrior Princess.
